Slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus and method of use therof

ABSTRACT

A slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus and method of use thereof, wherein the platter support apparatus comprises a single ring having a U-shaped channel therewithin with bearings disposed within the channel, and wherein the channel opens to the bottom portion of the ring. The ring further comprises a gripping material on the surface of the ring opposite the bearing channel, thereby forming a top surface for securing a platter to the platter support apparatus.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

None

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

None

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

None

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to dinnerware platter supportapparatuses, and more specifically to a slidable, rotatable, plattersupport apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

During a meal set at a table, it is often necessary to move fooddisposed on a platter from person to person at the table in order thateach person may select from the platter their food item of choice.Unfortunately, platters of food are often hot and thus difficult totransport from person to person, and may also cause harm to the personshandling them. Further, when being moved, such platters are at risk ofdisgorging their contents if mishandled.

Various attempts have been made to overcome the problem of moving foodon a platter from location to location or to allow access to all partsof a platter. Typically to move a platter from one location to another,it is either passed from hand to hand, which lends itself to thelikelihood of mishandling and spillage of contents, or via use of anexternal transport, such as a trolley that is stationed outside of thepersons seated at a table, thereby requiring additional space and beinggenerally inconvenient to those at the table who must turn around to useit.

In attempting to solve the problem of access to all parts of a platterthat is located on a table surface, the common method is use of a “LazySusan” device; that is, a device that comprises a base portion thatrests on the table surface, a pivot axis and a support portion. Thepivot axis may be a simple axle or may comprise a configurationcontaining ball bearings housed between two retaining horizontal plates.While such may overcome the problem of rotating a platter for access toall sides, it limits the movement of the platter from location tolocation on the table, and is thus inconvenient.

One previous devices teaches a service tray for use on a table, whereinthe service tray has disposed therethrough a shaft, such as for anumbrella. The service tray further comprises rollers that are positionedon the underside of the tray member to facilitate rotation on asupporting surface. However, this device is prevented from moving fromlocation to location via the securing central shaft around which itrotates.

Another previous device is an independent rotary supportive pad forsupporting dinner dishes utilizing concentric rings. The rings can berotated within each other to allow rotation of a dinner dish supportedthereon. Unfortunately, this device lacks the ability to be slidablypositioned.

Yet another previous device teaches a bearing on a shaft, wherein aplatform is secured around the bearing, thereby permitting the platformto rotate around the shaft on the bearing. However, this device does notpermit slidable positioning of the device at different locations on atable or other surface.

Yet still another device comprises a table platform that is itselfrotationally secured to an arm that can be maneuvered. While the tableplatform can be rotated completely, it requires movement of the arm andtable platform from position to position, thereby inconveniently movinga person's place setting and plate to another person.

Still a further device comprises a pair of rings having bearingsdisposed therebetween. However, such device cannot be slidablypositioned on a flat surface, only rotated.

Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a plattersupport apparatus that is capable of both sliding across a flat tablesurface and spinning to provide access to all portions of a platterdisposed thereupon.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present inventionovercomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognizedneed for such a device by providing a slidable, rotatable, plattersupport apparatus and method of use thereof, wherein the platter supportapparatus comprises a single ring having an inverted U-shaped channeltherewithin, with bearings or other rolling elements disposed within thechannel, wherein the channel opens to the bottom portion of the ring.The ring further comprises a gripping material on the surface of thering opposite the bearing channel, thereby forming a top surface forsecuring a platter to the platter support apparatus. At least a portionof the rolling elements extends outside of the bearing race channel andbelow the edges of the ring.

According to its major aspects and broadly stated, the present inventionin its preferred form is a slidable, rotatable, platter supportapparatus comprising a ring with a top surface, a bottom surface and abearing race disposed within the bottom surface. At least threespherical rolling elements are disposed within the bearing race toprovide rolling support of the ring, and a grip coating is disposed onthe top surface of the ring. It will be recognized by those skilled inthe art that the rolling elements could be, for exemplary purposes only,and without limitation, cylindrical, elliptical or spherical. Therolling elements have a diameter that is substantially identical for allrolling elements. For uses where slidability of the platter supportapparatus is desired, spherical rolling elements are preferred.

The ring further has an inner bottom edge and an outer bottom edgeseparated from each another by a gap. The rolling elements eachcomprises a center, and the bottom edges of the ring extend below thecenters of the rolling elements when the platter support apparatus isdisposed on a flat surface and the rolling elements are disposed withinthe race channel. The diameter of the rolling elements is greater thanthe gap between the inner bottom edge and the outer bottom edge. Theinner bottom edge or lip and the outer bottom edge or lip are eachdistally disposed from the top surface, and are disposed a distanceapart from each other, that is less than the diameter of the rollingelements, and the bottom edges or lips extend below the centers of therolling elements. Additionally, the bearing race has a maximum widththat is narrower than the gap between the inner bottom edge and theouter bottom edge, wherein the maximum width is dimensioned toconfinedly receive the roller elements. The ring further has across-section that may be generally rectangular, generally circular orgenerally triangular, wherein for triangular cross-section rings, thetop surface is selectively narrower or wider than the bottom surface.

A method of moving a platter is also provided, wherein the slidable,rotatable, platter support apparatus is placed on a flat surface and aplatter is placed upon the platter support apparatus. The platter isretained on the platter support apparatus by the grip coating. Thecombined platter and platter support apparatus may subsequently be movedby applying force to the edge of the platter, thereby moving thecombination. By applying force generally perpendicular to the edge ofthe platter, the combination can be made to slide across the tablesurface from one location to another. By applying force generallytangentially to the edge of the platter, the combination rotates toallow access to different parts of the platter.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the presentinvention could be utilized to relocate and/or rotate any device acrossor on a flat surface, such as, for exemplary purposes only, a computeron a conference table.

More specifically, the present invention is a slidable, rotatable,platter support apparatus, wherein the platter support apparatuspreferably comprises a ring having bearings disposed therewithin. Thering is preferably generally rectangular in cross-section and has abearing race of generally U-shape, a top surface and a bottom surface,wherein the bearings have a uniform diameter and are preferably disposedwithin the bearing race. The bottom surface of the ring is preferablydisposed below the center of the bearings. The bottom surface has aninner bottom lip and an outer bottom lip that curl inwardly toward oneanother and which are separated by a gap that is less in width than thediameter of the bearings.

The ring may alternatively have a generally circular cross-section or agenerally triangular cross-section. In the latter case, the top surfaceis selectively wider than the bottom surface or narrower than the bottomsurface.

In use, the platter support apparatus is placed on a table, wherein thebearings are in contact with the surface of the table. Subsequently, aplatter is disposed on the platter support apparatus and the gripcoating retains the platter thereon and restrains the platter fromsliding relative to the platter support apparatus.

By applying force perpendicular to the edge of the platter,platter/platter support apparatus combination can be urged across thetable surface from one location to another, thereby facilitatingprovision of food on the platter to persons seated at the table.Further, by applying force tangentially to the edge of platter/plattersupport apparatus combination, the combination can be made to spin toprovide access to food on a different portion of the platter.

Accordingly, a feature and advantage of the present invention is itsability to slide across a flat surface from location to location.

Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability tobe rotated to provide access to all parts of a platter disposedthereupon.

Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is itsability to prevent or reduce mishandling of a platter.

Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is itsinherent safety in reducing the need to transport a platter by a personcarrying same.

Yet still another feature and advantage of the present invention is itsconvenience in taking up no additional space at a table.

A further feature and advantage of the present invention is its abilityto be utilized with a wide variety of platters.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention willbecome more apparent to one skilled in the art from the followingdescription and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reading the DetailedDescription of the Preferred and Selected Alternate Embodiments withreference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like referencenumerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout,and in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of a platter support apparatusaccording to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of a platter support apparatusaccording to the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 taken at A-A;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of a platter support apparatusaccording to an alternate embodiment of FIG. 1 taken at A-A;

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of a platter support apparatusaccording to an alternate embodiment of FIG. 1 taken at A-A;

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of a platter support apparatusaccording to an alternate embodiment of FIG. 1 taken at A-A; and

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a platter support apparatusaccording to the preferred embodiment, shown in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND SELECTED ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTSOF THE INVENTION

In describing the preferred and selected alternate embodiments of thepresent invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, specific terminology isemployed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is notintended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and itis to be understood that each specific element includes all technicalequivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similarfunctions.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the present invention in a preferredembodiment is platter support apparatus 10, wherein platter supportapparatus 10 preferably comprises ring 20 and bearings 40. Ring 20 ispreferably generally rectangular in cross-section. Ring 20 preferablycomprises generally U-shaped bearing race 30, top surface 65 and bottomsurface 60 (both best shown in FIG. 2A), wherein bearings 40 comprisediameter 75 and are preferably disposed within bearing race 30, andwherein bottom surface 60 of ring 20 is preferably disposed below center70 of bearings 40. Bottom surface 60 comprises inner bottom lip or edge80 and outer bottom lip or edge 90, wherein inner bottom edge 80 andouter bottom edge 90 curl inwardly toward one another and are separatedby gap 95, and wherein gap 95 is less in width than diameter 75.Bearings 40 extend below edges 80, 90 and slightly outside of bearingrace 30.

Ring 20 further comprises alternate cross-sectional embodiments, whereinring 20 is generally circular in cross-section (best shown in FIG. 2B)or generally triangular in cross-section (best shown in FIGS. 2C and2D). Further, in the alternate embodiment of FIG. 2C, top surface 65 iswider than bottom surface 60, while in the alternate embodiment of FIG.2D, top surface 65 is narrower than bottom surface 60.

In use, platter support apparatus 10 is disposed on table T, whereinbearings 40 are in contact with surface S of table T. Subsequently,platter P is disposed on platter support apparatus 10, wherein gripcoating 50 retains platter P on platter support apparatus 10 andrestrains platter P from sliding relative to platter support apparatus10.

By applying force perpendicular to edge E of to platter P, platter Pcombined with platter support apparatus 10 can be urged to slide acrosssurface S from one location to another, thereby facilitating provisionof food on platter P to persons seated at table T. Further, by applyingforce tangentially to edge E of platter P, platter P in combination withplatter support apparatus 10 can be made to spin to provide access tofood on a different portion of platter P.

The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodimentsof the present invention. Having thus described exemplary embodiments ofthe present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the artthat the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various otheralternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within thescope of the present invention. Merely listing or numbering the steps ofa method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on theorder of the steps of that method. Many modifications and otherembodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the artto which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachingspresented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specificembodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the followingclaims.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus comprising: a ring having an inner bottom edge, an outer bottom edge, a top surface, a bottom surface and a bearing race disposed within the bottom surface, wherein: the ring defines a form of a hoop, the hoop having an open central region; and the inner bottom edge and the outer bottom edge are separated from one another by a gap; at least three rolling elements disposed with the bearing race, wherein each of the at least three rolling elements comprises a center and a diameter, and wherein the gap is narrower than the diameters, and wherein the bottom edges extend below the centers; and a grip coating disposed on the top surface.
 22. The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of claim 21, wherein the at least three rolling elements are spherical.
 23. The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of claim 21, wherein the ring further comprises a generally rectangular cross-section.
 24. The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of claim 21, wherein the ring further comprises a generally circular cross-section.
 25. The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of claim 21, wherein the ring further comprises a generally triangular cross-section.
 26. The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of claim 21, wherein the top surface is narrower than said bottom surface.
 27. The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of claim 21, wherein the top surface is wider than the bottom surface.
 28. The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of claim 21, wherein the bearing race comprises a maximum width, and wherein the gap is narrower than the maximum width.
 29. The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of claim 28, wherein the maximum width is dimensioned to confinedly receive the at least three rolling elements.
 30. A platter support apparatus comprising: a ring having a top surface, a bottom surface and a bearing race disposed within the bottom surface, wherein: the ring defines a form of a hoop, the hoop having an open central region; and the ring comprises a cross-section selected from the group consisting of generally triangular cross-sections and generally rectangular cross-sections; a plurality of rolling elements; and a grip coating disposed on the top surface.
 31. The platter support apparatus of claim 30, wherein each roller element of the plurality of roller elements has a substantially identical diameter, and wherein the bottom surface comprises an inner lip and an outer lip, and wherein the inner lip and the outer lip are each distally disposed from the top surface, and wherein the lips are disposed a distance apart from each other, and wherein the distance apart is less than the diameter.
 32. The platter support apparatus of claim 31, wherein each of the roller elements comprises a center, and wherein the lips extend below the centers of the roller elements, and wherein at least a portion of each of the plurality of rolling elements extends outside of the bearing race.
 33. The platter support apparatus of claim 32, wherein the plurality of rolling elements comprises rolling elements selected form the group consisting of cylindrical rolling elements, elliptical rolling elements, spherical rolling elements, and combinations thereof.
 34. The slidable, rotatable, platter support apparatus of claim 30, wherein the plurality of rolling elements comprises generally spherical rolling elements. 